Itineraries
Where to stay
Around the Markt and the Burg for first-timers; near the Church of Our Lady and the Beguinage for quiet lanes close to the station; the Hanseatic quarter around Jan van Eyck Square for calm canals.
The areas: Markt and Burg, Church of Our Lady and Beguinage, Hanseatic quarter (Jan van Eyck Square).
Where to stay in Bruges: areas and adviceHotels in BrugesPlaces to see
All things to do in BelgiumChurchBasilica of the Holy BloodTwo-level chapel on the Burg that keeps the relic of the Holy Blood, a basilica since 1923.Entry: Basilica free; museum extra
NeighborhoodBeguinage (Begijnhof)A walled court of white houses and a quiet garden founded in 1245, still home to a community of women.Entry: Free to visit
ViewpointBelfry of Bruges13th-century tower on the Markt, 83 m high, with 366 steps up past a 47-bell carillon.Entry: Book a time slot
ViewpointBelfry of Ghent, GhentUNESCO-listed tower topped by a dragon since 1377, with views over Ghent from the top walkway.Entry: Book online or buy at the desk
FoodBrouwerij De Halve MaanFamily brewery on Walplein since 1856, with a restaurant overlooking the brewing hall and guided tours.Entry: Pay as you go
TransportBruges StationThe main station, a walk from the old center, with trains to Brussels, Ghent and Brussels Airport.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumCastle of the Counts (Gravensteen), GhentFlanders' only medieval castle with a moat and largely intact defenses, visited with an audio guide.Entry: Book online or buy at the gate
ChurchChurch of Our LadyChurch with a 115.5 m brick tower that holds Michelangelo's marble Madonna and Child.Entry: Church free; museum ticket
NeighborhoodGraslei and Korenlei, GhentGhent's medieval harbor quays, lined with guild houses facing each other across the River Lys.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumGroeningemuseumBruges' fine arts museum, best known for Flemish Primitive paintings by Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling.Entry: Buy at the desk or online
FoodMarkt (Market Square)The main square under the Belfry, with restaurants, cafés and takeaways around its stepped gables.Entry: Pay as you go
NatureMinnewater (Lake of Love)A tree-lined lake south of the Beguinage, with views from its bridge and the old Lockhouse.Entry: Free to visit
FoodPatershol, GhentA medieval quarter of cobbled lanes beside the castle, packed with restaurants from Flemish to Japanese.Entry: Pay as you go
ViewpointRozenhoedkaaiThe canal-side quay with the classic view of Bruges, and one of the landing stages for canal boat tours.Entry: Free to visit
ChurchSt Bavo's Cathedral, GhentGhent's Gothic cathedral, home to the Ghent Altarpiece (Mystic Lamb) and a painting by Rubens.Entry: €[fee]
MuseumSt John's HospitalA 12th-century hospital turned museum, with works by Hans Memling and a 17th-century pharmacy.Entry: Buy at the desk or online
FoodVrijdagmarkt, GhentA large historic square with the Jacob van Artevelde statue, ringed by cafés and restaurants.Entry: Pay as you go